Mr McCarthy was knocked unconscious and left in a coma on life support.

Byrne was granted bail after the attack, but then breached his bail conditions.

Following the breach of bail, Justice Richard Refshauge indicated that it will be at least May 2013 before Byrne goes on trial.

He said that the risk of Byrne reoffending could be addressed with stricter bail conditions including a night-time curfew, alcohol ban, surrender of his passport and a ban on being in licensed premises in Civic.

Byrne has not breached those conditions and Justice Refshauge has now removed them.